Joint Defense Board ordered SPLA-IO, government forces to report to cantonment sites by July 30

The JDB during a January 2019 press conference in Juba. Photo: eyeradio.org

Juba, July 21, 2019 (SSNA) — South Sudan Joint Defense Board (JDB) has ordered troops from both the Military leaders of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) to report to their assigned areas for possible integration as simulated in the September 2018 peace agreement, military spokespersons for the two rival armies have said.

The national army, SSPDF, stated that it ordered it’s soldiers to go to barracks so that the integration process should be executed.

On the other, the SPLA-IO said its forces have been informed of the same order.

The JDB disclosed that they want SSPDF and the SPLA-IO to be at their designated areas by July 30, 2019.

The deal was supposed to be implemented by May this year. However, the two sides failed to executed key provisions needed before a transitional government can be formed. The SPLA-IO then accused the government of using “delaying tactics” to further prolong the process.

IGAD are just a failed group who wanted to get advantage in south Sudan’s resources. What do they have in mind by placing machar in the house arrest when both side are for peace process. It meant they are looking for ways to delays peace in South Sudan.